Middletown rocks out at RocktoberFest

The second annual RocktoberFest was held in Middletown from Oct. 5- Oct. 7.

Kim Manahan

More than 2,500 people came out for the second annual RocktoberFest, the Middletown rendition of Oktoberfest, over its three-day run last weekend.

"We were really happy with it this year," said Middletown Area Chamber of Commerce Director Roxanne Ferguson.

The event, which was sponsored by the MACC and several other local businesses, including Home Depot, WXCY, Excel Business Systems, Cover & Rossiter, and Middletown Main Street, featured a Battle of the Bands competition, carnival rides, food, beer, and some family fun fall activities.

Crowd favorite band Milo, which consists of five teenagers from Maryland, won the BOB and the chance to meet with Gene Foley Entertainment in New York City.

Last year, judges ranked the bands, but this year the crowds chose their favorite, Ferguson said.

"[Milo] was a favorite because they came back from last year," she said.

Moment of Truth was voted into second place.

Ferguson said that they took attendee feedback from last year into consideration and added the carnival rides.

Next year will be even bigger too, she said, and the sponsors will be taking feedback from this year seriously to make the third annual RocktoberFest even better.

Despite Sunday's rain, the attendance for this year's event surpassed its inaugural weekend in 2011.

Friday night was packed and traffic remained steady throughout Saturday when the gates were open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Ferguson said. People still came out Sunday though for the final day and performance by last year's winner, Chasing Thea.

Last year's runner up, IT IS What IT IS, also performed this year.

Local group Stone's Throw Band also put on a performance Saturday, covering a variety of popular songs and closing out the second night to cheers from the crowd.

Ferguson said that the three-day RocktoberFest would not have been possible without the more than 100 people who volunteered. Students from Appoquinimink and Middletown High School were able to log hours they worked at the event at the Home Depot Auto Park as time volunteered.

All of the money raised stays in the community and funds local scholarships awarded through the MACC, Middletown Main Street events, and the prizes awarded to the Battle of the Bands winner.

Some of the proceeds help fund Middletown Main Street's Music on Main series that runs throughout the summer.

Adult treats in the beer tent included an Oktoberfest beer and Dogfish Head 60 IPA, as well as a variety of Barefoot Wines.

"It's a neat event to have here," Ferguson said. "We like having something in the spring and the fall. Now we have to start working on the BBQ."